Italians, as a rule, are not drinkers—at least, not as the Anglo-Saxon understands the term. It's not that​Italians avoid the stuff; they just don't consider it sufficient recreation unto itself. Alcohol goes with things.​As a result, Italy is not a cocktail country. The national liquor—grappa—is, an acquired taste. Gummy, sweet liqueurs abound, and nobody knows how to make a dry martini. Luckily, there's Campari.

Campari has associations. Summer-weight suits with narrow lapels, Ray-Ban Wayfarers, Vespas, brown-eyed blondes in Capri pants. La dolce vita. A violently red, bittered-up 48-proof vermouth doesn't sound like much to build a cocktail culture on, but somehow it works. In fact, the Negroni is one of the world's indispensable cocktails.

NegroniEveryone has a Negroni recipe they consider the "best." Try this one on for size.Ingredients;

SERVINGS: MAKES 1

2 tablespoons gin

2 tablespoons Campari

2 tablespoons sweet vermouth

1 orange twist

Prosecco (optional)

Preparation

Combine gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth in an ice-filled Old Fashioned glass; stir gently and garnish with an orange twist. More-formal types prefer it straight up in a Martini glass. Try topping it with Prosecco for something a bit more celebratory.

Author​Tony Moglia's grandparents immigrated from Italy in the early 1900's. He's a dual citizen who has traveled extensively throughout Italy for 40 years. He's happily married to a vibrant dancer who together have two children and three grandchildren. Tony has dreamed of Villas of Italy since his first trip to Italy, and now he shares his dream with you.